Kate Frigo Recognized by State Bar

Posted: 2011.5.12

The State Bar of Wisconsin will recognize Kate Frigo 3L as one of two law school students who have made exceptional contributions to serving the legal needs of the state's immigrant communities. Frigo will receive a 2011 Outstanding Public Interest Law Student Award presented by the State Bar's Public Interest Law Section in June.

Frigo has maintained a dedication to helping immigrants throughout her time in law school. As part of her participation in UW Law's Legal Assistance to Institutionalized Persons program, she handled several cases with Spanish-speaking clients, including one in which she uncovered an important gap in the Department of Corrections' (DOC) approach to immigrants' prison wages.

This gap caused problems for inmates who worked and earned money but could not save it because they could not open a bank account under the DOC's policies, so they were unable to send the money to their families. Frigo developed a solution to the problem by negotiating and coordinating with several parties.

"One of the State Bar's central goals is to encourage attorneys across the state to provide public interest services to individuals and groups," explains Attorney Beth Richlen, chair of the Public Interest Law Section Board.

"Therefore, it's very encouraging and rewarding for me and my peers to celebrate the dedicated work of future State Bar members who find the time in their busy lives to serve the public while still pursuing their studies."